Today, 25 years after a career-ending arena injury, Mefford -- once considered among rodeo's most talented all-around cowboys and trick ropers -- rides lawnmowers instead of wild horses.

Thrown by a bronc in 1960 and warned that another wrong landing might leave him a cripple, Mefford joined his wife of 40 years, Louise, as an arena spectator.

Mrs. Mefford, 75, a former barrel racer and wild west show stagecoach driver who helped Bud organize the club, is club secretary. Gordy Peer, Okeechobee, was elected the organization's president last year.

Peer refuses to divulge his age, but said in 1930 he roped in rodeos, wild west shows, and public functions.

In his new capacity, Peer spends ''a lot of time tracking people down, collecting pictures for an album to showcase our members. I've collected almost 1,500 photos to put on display.

''We're expecting old-timers from as far back as 1915, some are in the Cowboy Hall of Fame,'' Peer said. ''People like trick ropers Nick and Faye Blackstone.''

The Meffords predict members will come from as far away as Maryland, Nevada and New York for the all-day reunion, one of two held each year.

''Mostly, we sit around and share our memories, look at old photo albums and keep our friendships alive,'' said Bud Mefford, who, recalling his profession, remembers, ''I did everything and made pretty good money at it. Although what was a lot of money back then, isn't much these days.''